Successful speed trial on Katra-Banihal rail link marks key milestone for Kashmir connectivity

A significant milestone in Indian Railways' history was achieved with the successful rising grade speed trial between Katra and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir, part of the USBRL project, according to a senior official on Wednesday.

Dinesh Chand Deshwal, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for the Northern Circle, said the trial run, conducted at speeds of 110 km/h on the 180-degree rising grade, marks a breakthrough for the rail network in this challenging region. This accomplishment offers hope for the early launch of direct train services connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country.

While the trial was successful, Deshwal emphasized that the data collected during the two-day statutory inspection would be thoroughly analyzed before a decision is made by the Centre regarding the launch of regular services.

The trial train departed from Katra station at 10:30 am and reached Banihal in approximately 90 minutes. It then returned to Katra in the afternoon. This trial marks the final test run before a decision on public service.

Deshwal commended the engineering efforts behind the project, calling the trial run a "smooth" success and praising the work done by the team. He added that the infrastructure for the rail link is in excellent condition.

The decision on starting direct rail services will be based on the analysis of the data collected and recommendations from the statutory inspection. The Centre is expected to make an announcement soon.

Earlier, on January 4, an electric train trial was conducted on the Katra-Banihal section, with a total of six trials conducted in the past month, including key tests on the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.

The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect Kashmir by rail, was initiated in 1997 but faced multiple delays due to challenging geography and weather. About 209 km of the route has been commissioned in phases.